Tour Diary
Wednesday, January 21
An Tu Nua
Boston
I arrived in the late afternoon, the setting sun shining across the partially frozen Boston Harbor, providing me with my first glimpse of the winter cold that lay ahead. I'm a California man, with nary an inkling of what cold is really about. Sure, I spent many winter vacations skiing in Tahoe, but I don't know that it ever got "too cold to snow" — the state of the weather for much of my East Coast tour.
This was my first trip to Boston. A no-nonsense town dominated by its educational and Irish sectors, every club is seemingly a pub, peopled by smart college students. An Tu Nua was no different — from the front it looked like just another Irish pub, albeit one painted a bright red and yellow. Once you pass the bar however, it's just like any other club: smashing sound system, lights and party people.
It was Boston DJ Melee's birthday that night, so the good vibes were flowing more freely than the booze was into Melee's mouth. Drama opened the night with a set of old school hip-hop and then Melee took over with a set of some of his favorite breaks tracks. By the time I got on, everyone was in the right mood, especially the breakers, who made mincemeat of the dance floor. A great night (until we had to pour out into the cold).

Friday, January 23
Funk Rock, Fluid
Philadelphia
Chris Pattison of Nexus Artist Management and Nick Bitcrusher picked me up in Nick's Macdadillac (don't hate on the forest-green interior), and we proceeded to drive the however many miles from Boston to Philly. We made it with a half-hour to spare, just in time to catch the end of Imri's funky set and throw a couple beers down my throat.
Fluid is a great club. Philly is a great town. I don't have enough nice things to say about this gig, really. It was snowing lightly outside (a treat for me), the people were into it, and Imri gave me a Discobotz shirt after. Thanks to Imri for hosting the after party as well.
I highly recommend you visit Philly (specifically South Philly) if you're ever in the area. I do not, however, recommend that you drive back into Jersey at 4 in the morning and eat at a diner, no matter how short the skirts of the patrons are. You'll regret it the next day.

Saturday, January 24
Orchard Bar
New York
And regret it we did. You have to be at the top of your game when you go to New York. It'll eat you alive if you're not. Or at least suck on you awhile.
After chilling at Halcyon in Brooklyn with Sneak-E-Pete for a few hours, and getting smashed at a bar down the street, we rolled into Manhattan and into the Orchard Bar. Patti fell asleep in the car while I tried to perk up, but a persistent stomach ache wasn't letting me prepare. Turned out Patti had a stomach ache too. The only one who wasn't illing was Nick — lucky man.
New York's Miss Bliss was also on the bill, who was scheduled to pick up the tour with me after her gig in Maine later that week. After the opening DJs (Pete, JP001) ripped it up, Patti, Miss Bliss and I tag teamed, which is always fun (and slightly less stressful if you're sick and can't drink).

Thursday, January 29
Go Apeshit, Blizzarts
Montreal
After a week of recuperation in Burlington, VT (world headquarters for Nexus Artist Management), we headed across the border into Canada. Miss Bliss was along for the ride, and DJ Bind was behind the wheel. I love Canada for so many reasons — did you know that passengers can drink in cars? Drinking Labatt while driving through the snow-covered farmlands outside Montreal is a pleasure everyone should experience at least once. As is eating poutine, the Canadain delicacy of french fries, gravy and cheese curds. But as I had already done that once on a previous trip, I figured I was good (Miss Bliss could never be persuaded though).
I also love Canada because the people are so nice and up for it. The gig was fantastic. After Bliss (yup, a different Bliss) and DJ Melon got the crowd good and lubed up, I took to the decks and dropped all manner of bass bombs on them. "After Burn," a track I did with Chuck Bassplugger and Digital Rust under the name Tent City Rockers, was particularly effective.
I have the sneaking suspicion that Stella Artois has a higher alcohol content in Canada than in the US. I drink Stella all the time, but both times I've played in Montreal I've lost my mind on Stella. I literally could not find the bathroom in Melon's apartment. I did eventually though. (Um, Melon, if your hall closet was all wet the next morning, I apologize.)

Sunday, February 1
Sunday Night Mass, Metronome
Burlington, VT
Happy birthday to me. Yup, I turned 32 tonight! It was a great birthday. Sledding in the morning, good food in town, and a great night out. Patti opened it up with a selection of rough and techy tracks, and then Miss Bliss took over, tearing it off like she does. Watch out for "Three," a track she recently finished with production partner Mitch Mills. Good stuff.
So yeah, I played some records, some unreleased stuff on CD, and pushed it as far past last call as I could. Did you know that in Vermont you can't dance and drink at the same time? True. I tried to break that law as often as I could, and did so while DJing. I wonder if that constitutes prison time.
Thanks to everyone who had me out to play, the other DJs on the dates, those who came out and danced, and everybody who made sure that I didn't freeze my ass off during those two weeks! Playing records is fun but it really is all about the people you meet on the road.